Tuesday, December 17, 2013

Welcome back fellow progheads and thank you for making 2013 a fun year for blogging about progressive music. My time spent here in the music closet has been well spent; it has been an absolute blast discovering so many new, innovative, and exciting prog bands and their music. I started down the "prog rabbit hole" in August and have not looked back since. I'm not sure what amazes me the most; the fact that there are so many fantastic prog bands or that I have been aware (prior to this blog) of so few of them. Ultimately it does not matter because this journey has opened my eyes, ears, and mind to some truly great sounds...and I do not want to end that streak just yet...

This week I decided to look around in the darker corners of the closet for a band that has been lurking for years but for one reason or another never got the recognition they deserved. I wanted to find a band that struck a nerve with the classic prog side of my brain as well as the adventurous, push-the-prog-envelope side...and then I found IQ sitting in a bin just minding their own business...

Walking slowly to the buffet line I make my first selection, "Harvest of Souls." This song takes me to memories of Genesis, Yes, and Spock's Beard...I also detect a hint of Atomic Rooster in there...this is quite an interesting band. In typical prog style, the listener is urged to keep up with the musicians as they create a piece of music with so many moving parts. Extremely tight and well produced, this song is from the 2004 release "Dark Matter." As the song plays out there is a build up of guitar and keyboards that leads you through a battlefield built first on principle and ultimately on the whim and fancy of those truly in power...a 24-minute journey a true prog fan will definitely appreciate.

With my appetite whet I mosey back to the buffet for a second helping and find "The Wrong Side of Weird." Once again the connection to the roots of prog slams me in the frontal lobe. IQ is a band that studied at the School of Classic Prog, yet has found a way to channel their intellect and energy into a sound that is all at once unique, deep, dark, and probing. "The Wrong Side of Weird" opens with a subtle crescendo if you will; a building burst of energy tempered with calculated excitement...then the vocals break through and the puzzle pieces that are the song fall together like so many brush strokes on a vinyl canvas. Drums lead guitars while being led by keyboards only to have the caravan change direction and suddenly the guitars are leading, then the vocals...think ELP crashes a Pink Floyd concert and you start to get the image. If this is the wrong side of weird, please get me a chair because I believe I will be staying for a while...

Liner Notes...IQ is Paul Cook on drums, Neil Durant on keyboards, Tim Esau on bass, Mike Holmes on guitars, and Peter Nicholls on lead vocals. IQ started in 1981 with the demise of The Lens. A few line-up changes--as most bands inevitably go through--led Pete to leave and re-join the band. Add Neil Durant to replace original keyboardist Martin Orford (not exactly small shoes to fill), and you have IQ; a progressive band that has been pushing the envelope and raising the bar for over 30 years. IQ has an impressive library with over 40 studio and live albums, collections, and film to their credit. Unlike other prog giants, however; IQ has managed to do all of that while remaining friends and staying out of court.

OK, back to the music...choice number three is a song called "The Narrow Margin." In what I can only describe at this point as typical IQ style, the song opens with a sound menagerie as percussion comes into focus with keyboards and it all gets tied together with impressive vocals. Guitars come in soon enough with the drums to clear a path IQ seems to be very comfortable taking the proverbial machete to. IQ moves through time and tempo changes like Rick Wakeman moves through capes--smooth and seamless. Thirty years of playing together has enabled IQ to hone their craft in much the same way an artisanal vintner makes wine...the head knows but the heart leads.

The selection I chose for this week's post is a song called "Outer Limits." From the band's 1985 release "The Wake," I chose this song deliberately to give you a peek at the early stages of IQ...these guys were tight 28 years ago and have only gotten better. While I get a sense of Peter Nicholls channeling his inner Peter Gabriel, IQ is a band that occupies their own corner of the prog world. Learn more about IQ at their website http://www.iq-hq.co.uk

Well fellow progheads, I have reached a minor milestone with this post; the end of the first leg of my journey. As 2013 winds down to a 14 day end-of-year celebration of Christmas and the beginning of 2014, I will take a brief hiatus. That will give me time to search out more innovative, exciting, and amazing progressive music to listen to, appreciate, and blog about. To paraphrase Friedrich Nietzsche, "Without progressive music life would be a mistake." I feel like the bar has been set fairly high thanks to so many incredible bands and musicians. Progressive music has changed and grown over time, and as with many a living thing there have been life lessons learned and growing pains endured along the way. Yet I am glad to say that I believe the world of prog is all the better for it and the music is thriving. Please stay faithful and I will be back in January with another installment...I hope you will join me. Stay safe and stay prog...until next month...

Tuesday, December 10, 2013

Happy "Tuesday Evening" fellow progheads...and welcome back to the closet. As the end of the calendar gets ever so much closer, my search for new and exciting music--and of course all things prog--has taken me down another new road. I know I have said this many times before in this blog, but this week I truly have found something that is off the beaten path. I may be pushing prog to the edge here, but isn't that where prog is supposed to be?

This week I discovered a sound that is completely new and extremely different...reminding me of Robert Fripp back in his ambient hey-day and Brian Eno performing with Moebius and Roedelius. Welcome to the sounds of Subzar; not so much a band per se, but rather a gathering of musicians who were looking for an alternative to the mainstream...and on that premise Subzar delivers. Billing themselves as an "acoustic quartet of guitar, violin, and cello," that is exactly who Subzar is--drums are verboten and I do not hear even the slightest tickling of ivories. Borderline classical perhaps but I prefer to think of Subzar as a glass of Merlot in the middle of a Jack Daniels rush hour; the sane alternative...

The first selection from this "avant garde" buffet is a tune called, "As Memories Fade." This is an extremely well played acoustic piece that takes the blood pressure down a notch or two while reminding you that feel good music does not have to include syrupy lyrics about first love and puppies. Subzar has taken a classical approach to their playing--not the "Looney Tunes" classical I grew up with (although that would be cool too)--but rather a more subdued, ambient style that reflects a respect for the music.

Moving slowly through the buffet line so as to savor the time, aroma, and taste, I sample a tune called, "Last Night I Thought A Thousand Plans, But Today I Go My Old Way." The song starts out with a strong dose of acoustic guitar and then the violin comes right in as the perfect chaser. The two blend as one beautifully...each seemingly dependent on while leading the other at the same time. Subzar respects the genre and isn't afraid to take a few liberties with it--very captivating to the novice listener.

Liner Notes...Subzar is Gav Sirisena on acoustic guitar, Chris Redfearn on classical guitar, Nicky Haire on violin, and Derek Yau on cello. Originally a side project between Chris and Gav, Subzar (an almost acronym for Somewhere Between Zenith And Ruin) was an attempt to escape their mainstream endeavors. While on their journey Nicky and Derek were added and a four-piece ensemble was born whose mission is to bring a post-rock fusion of jazz and folk to an audience looking for something new, creative, soothing, and reflective. To that end Subzar has found success. As the group uses their music to "express and reflect the whole diversity of human emotion and existence," I am gaining an appreciation for the stretched envelope I previously had progressive music stuffed into.

Make no mistake--Subzar does not call themselves a progressive band. I discovered their music through the brave new world of Twitter, and instantly felt a connection to some of the best ambient music I have heard in a while. As I stated earlier, this pushes the definition of the progressive genre but I believe that is what makes progressive so hard to nail down and so incredibly fun to listen to...

OK..I have stepped off the soapbox to make selection number three, a piece called "Pico." This is actually more of a taste than a full serving as the album is not being released until next week. A very mellow intro that leads to the concept of the album; is home a migratory journey to places unknown or the comfort of the same nest day after day? I for one am eager to hear Subzar's take on this philosophical question.

The piece I chose to post this week is "As Memories Fade." I chose this piece to introduce Subzar to you my fellow progheads because it showcases all four members of Subzar, how well they play together, and the fact that a big stage and bright lights are not mandatory for a great performance. Please to enjoy...you can learn more about Subzar by visiting their website www.subzar.com.

With the holiday season in full swing, the roads getting slick, and the wind reminding me to put my winter coat on (and zip it up), I am struck with how fast and diverse this journey has been for me--and I hope for you as well. Finding Subzar has me convinced there is so much more great music out there I have yet to discover...so I will trudge on with stubborn determination and a good set of speakers...until next week....

Tuesday, December 3, 2013

Good evening progheads! I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving holiday, spent in a way that makes you truly happy and extremely thankful. By now everyone should be past the proverbial "tryptophan coma" and hungry for some progressive rock--I know I am.

I spent the past week climbing over some strange stuff here in the closet...listening for something new and exciting; something that would add to my prog pleasure as I continue my journey searching for new prog sounds. The quality of the music, differing styles, focused musicians, exceptional writing, and just plain prog talent has made me all at once sated and ravenous for more...

So this week I found myself ear to speaker with the music from a band called Freedom to Glide. The name paints a picture for me of musicians not afraid to take a risk and do their own thing; a willingness to put themselves out there for the listener to decide. Freedom to Glide is also a an opportunity to soar...so let's have a listen and see what Freedom to Glide is all about.

I start my listening feast with a song called "Rain Part I." The opening riff has the strong aroma of Pink Floyd with a dash of both Uriah Heep and Porcupine Tree filling my head...hmmm....this is intriguing. The song starts out subtle enough with the guitar drawing you into a smooth fusion of keyboards and drums intended to set you up for the lyrics. A deep song about war, soldiers, and soldiering that pulls on your emotions both for what Freedom to Glide is singing about and how well they pull it off. The sound comes together in a way that puts you in the middle of the action--you are on a battlefield in a surreal kind of way; the music carries you over the top of the action as you watch things unfold...all the while being carried on the strength of the guitar.

With my expectations suddenly raised I make my second selection from what I hope is an amazing buffet, and "When the Whistle Blows" does not disappointment. Another strong hint of Floyd here and I get the sense Freedom to Glide has a personal stake in the war theme. Like most progheads I am very familiar with theme and concept albums, but this takes it to a new level. "When the Whistle Blows" hits you in the gut like the pain of realizing you are waving good-bye to a loved one for the last time. The military sound of the percussion leading the guitar and the keyboards down into the abyss that is the soul of the song...a unique experience to say the least.

Liner Notes...Freedom to Glide is the brainchild of Pete Riley on keyboards, piano, vocals, sampling, and programming, and Andy Nixon on electric and acoustic guitar, vocals, bass, and drum programming. Both are former members of the the Pink Floyd tribute band Dark Side of the Wall--and suddenly the sound origins make sense. However; Freedom to Glide is not your average prog band. As the liner notes suggest, Pete and Andy lay tracks separately and collaborate electronically (hence the programming credits) via the Internet and compact disc. Although it sounds a bit "Orwellian," I assure you progheads--at least from my taste of the music this week--their sound is not cold, unemotional, or just assembled noise. Once the music of Freedom to Glide seeps into your head, it moves down your spine and travels through your extremities, where it starts to ooze out through your pores...

My third selection is a track called, "Hypnotized." Another deep thought provoker, this tune mellows its way in and you feel as though you are coming off a sedative; the music in the background has that "rising through the water until you break the surface" urgency and calmness all-at-once kinda feel. The guitar picks up where the keys leave off...mellow yet awakening if that makes sense. The vocals poke you in the ribs delicately--the Pink Floyd influence shows through once again. This is a song I played four times just to make sure I squeezed out all it had to offer.The selection below is the earlier reviewed cut, "Rain Part I." I posted this for a few reasons, but mainly because there are not too many options out there that truly paint the picture I am trying to put on this canvas. Freedom to Glide seems to enjoy the thought process behind making the music as much as they like the finished product that is the music. The lyrics are deep and the music wraps around the words like the crust on a pot pie; you like both individually but together they are perfection. You can learn more about Freedom to Glide by checking out their website freedomtoglide.comr

Now that the last page of the calendar is in full view I realize how fast the sand really does flow through the hourglass...and I am doing my best to slow it down. Alas; no such luck...so what felt like eight hours was actually seven days going by and I am swimming against the tide. At this rate next week will be here tomorrow so I need to get back in the music closet and search out more new and different sounds...soothing, exciting, calming, stirring, and of course--prog. Until next week...